George Groeneveld

December 30, 1933 - October 16, 2022
In Loving Memory ~
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of George Groeneveld on October 16th, 2022 at the age of 88.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Marjorie; three children, George (Colette), Dan (Theresa) and Elizabeth (Roy); seven grandchildren, Jolene, Kurtis, Rory, Jessica, Cortney, Shavonne and Sheldon and 13 great grandchildren.
George was born on December 30,1933 in Poortugaal, Holland. He was the second child, (first son), of Johannes and Elizabeth Groeneveld.
The family immigrated to Canada in 1948. The first two years were spent in the Lethbridge area working for local farmers, mostly in the sugar beet fields, those were tough years.
In 1950 they moved to Rocky Mountain House where most of the family worked in the logging industry. It was here that he met the love of his life, Marjorie Datema. They married September 26, 1956. In 1958, their first son was born, John, in 1960, a second son, George, in 1962 a third son, Dan and finally a girl in 1963, Elizabeth.
George got his Heavy Duty Mechanic license and later his Automotive Mechanic. In 1960, he opened his own business in Penhold, George's Farm Supply.
In 1970, he moved his business to Olds, AB. The business flourished, expanding to include three locations. Over the years he won many awards for being in the top 10 Allis-Chalmers dealers in North America, including several years as the Number One dealer.
George loved dealing and never forgot a deal, who had bought what and for what price. He continued to operate his business until 2012 when his son Dan and son-in-law Roy took over.
George had a strong, quiet faith and enjoyed serving in his church. In addition, he spent 25 years volunteering for the Bibles for Mission Thrift store, working full time in his retirement.
George was also an avid hunter. When the harvest was done, he and his good friend Bill Pennington, would head out west. Over the years other local farmers shared these trips.
For many years George owned a Riverboat and the family spent many Sunday afternoons on the Red Deer River with friends.
Other Sunday afternoons he would enjoy a good Western, either a book or a movie. George and Marj enjoyed many holidays. In the later years, George cherished seeing his great grandchildren.
George was predeceased by his oldest son John, his sister Penny and two brothers, Floyd and Len.
Funeral service will be held on October 21, 2022 at 1:00 pm at the First Christian Reformed Church in Red Deer, Alberta (16 McVicar Street).
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in George's honor to World Renew (www.worldrenew.ca)